Ueno Park

Ueno Park is an amazing green space in the middle of bustling Tokyo and is a great stop for kids. Ueno park boasts a zoo, museums, play equipment, paddle boats and lots of space to run around. There’s even a Starbucks if Mum and Dad need a coffee stop!

Ueno Zoo

Ueno Zoo is well known for their resident panda. The panda, although not native to Japan, is the mascot for Ueno and you will see the Ueno panda mascots on signs, in stations, shops and themed food!

Although we have been to Ueno a number of times, we haven’t yet visited Ueno Zoo, the kids have had fun just running around in the park.

Open 9:30am to 5pm Daily except Mondays and some holidays.
Admission: ¥600 for adults, ¥200 for 13yrs to 15yrs, children under 13yrs are free.
Check out the official Ueno Zoo site for more details.

Ueno Museums

National Science Museum

There is lots to see and do in this museum, the kids were 2, 5 and 7 when we went and they loved it, particularly the dinosaur skeletons. There are lots of hand on exhibits.

Open 9am to 5pm Daily except Mondays and some holidays.
Admission: ¥630 all ages.
Check out the official website for more details.

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum is a collection of building each one like a separate museum with its own theme. The national museum is the oldest in Japan and houses hundreds of national treasures and important cultural items including art, pottery, swords, kimono and wood block prints. There are often temporary exhibitions for an additional fee, although they do not always have English information for these exhibitions.

Open 9:30am to 5pm daily except Mondays and some holidays.
Admission: ¥1000
Check out the official website for more details.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

This museum does not have any permanent exhibitions instead it houses rotating special exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and ceramics from contemporary Japanese and international artists. To see what is currently on display, check out the website here.

Open 9:30am to 5:30pm daily except the first and third Monday of the month and some holidays.
Admission: Free, although special exhibitions may have an entrance fee.
Check out the official website for more details.

National Museum of Western Art

This museum displays Western Art, mostly European art. The building was designed by Le Corbusier, the pioneer of modern architecture.

Open 9:30am to 5:30pm daily except Mondays and some holidays.
Admission: ¥500, free for over 65 or under 18years old
Check out the official website for more details.
Please note there is a planned closure from Oct 2020 to Spring 2022.

Shitamachi Museum

This is a history museum, located on the shore of the pond. It houses a reconstruction of life in the Edo period.

Open 9:30am to 4:30pm daily except Tuesdays and some holidays.
Admission: ¥300 adults ¥100 children
Check out the official website for more details.

Ueno Temples and Shrines

There are a number of temples and shrines throughout the park. They are generally open from 9am to 5pm and have no admission fee.

Shinobazu Pond

This pond is divided up into three parts, the lotus pond, the paddle boat pond and the Cormorant pond, where you can see wild Cormorants (water bird). In the middle of the ponds is the Bentendo temple hall.

We love the swans on the pond and have been a couple of times on different trips. It’s great fun and we really feel like we are a world away from bustling Tokyo.

Open hours for the paddle boats vary, although they are generally open from 9am to 5pm in winter and 10am to 6pm in summer.
Paddle boat hire: ¥600-¥700 per half hour. Row boat ¥700 per hour.
Check out the official website for more details.

Cherry Blossom Season

Ueno park is a popular spot for viewing Cherry blossom and in Spring, the park comes alive with picnics and food stalls and Sakura icecream! One of the advantages of viewing the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park is that there is no entrance fee to the park.

Who would enjoy this…

There is a lot to do in Ueno Park and plenty to entertain kids even if you don’t visit any of the museums. There are also a number of food stalls, making it an easy place to grab lunch, although perhaps a chocolate coated banana is not the most nutritious lunch…

While in the area you will find Ueno’s panda mascot everywhere. Play eye spy for pandas!

Tickets

Entry to the park is free!

How to get here

Ueno station is located right next to Ueno Park. When exiting the station, use the ‘Park Exit’.

While you are here…

Ameyoko Markets are at the Southern end of Ueno park and Ueno station. Take a wander through the streets of the market during the day or night. We loved the crepes and one of the boys bought himself a new pair of shoes!

Need more information?

Japan Guide
Japan Visitor
Tokyo Zoo Official Website
National Museum of Nature and Science
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
National. Museum of Western Art
Shitamachi Museum
Japanistry has a great map of Ueno Park